Diane Johnson, Details By Design, is very active here at NAMA 2006 since she’s doing the legwork on NAMA Connections Point.

She’s was also very involved with the Chapter Leaders Workshop, where she’s seen pictured prior to the start this morning.

Before the workshop kicked off I asked her why she’s jazzed about NAMA.

Diane Johnson is Jazzed (1 min MP3)

The first event at NAMA 2006 is the Chapter Leaders Workshop. This team of craftsmen are going to be conducting NAMA Chapter Extreme Makeover.

Before the workshop kicked off I talked with Scott Whitman, Marketing With Insights, about why he’s jazzed about NAMA. Scott is in the picture and on the committee in charge of this session.

Scott Whitman is Jazzed (1 min MP3)

Hello from Kansas City, MO.

It’s the first day of registration. You can see the staff is hard at work.

I didn’t get to play golf today but someone will have some pics for us which I’ll probably get to post tomorrow. Until then . . .

Since we’ve heard from the chairman, it’s time to hear from the vice-chairman for the NAMA Conference and that’s John Deere’s Barry Nelson. Barry let’s us know why he’s jazzed about NAMA and it’s a magical moment. So listen to what he has to say.

Barry Nelson Interview (3 min MP3)

Who better to get us Jazzed Up about the NAMA conference but the chairperson. She’s Laurie Christen, Colle+McVoy. You can listen to a short interview with her as she looks forward to the culmination of a year’s worth of work by her committee and the staff.

Laurie Christen Interview (3 min MP3)

Hello NAMA fans. The NAMA blog is getting “Jazzed up” for some serious action at the 2006 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show. I’m Chuck Zimmerman and will once again be your NAMAblogger.

To get us started I thought you might be interested to hear from one of the convention keynote speakers. She’s Laura Ries, and she’ll be conducting a general session called “The Fall of Advertising & The Rise of PR.” That’s very important subject material to me and I’m sure you too. Laura works with her Dad, Al Ries, at their Atlanta-based marketing strategy firm.

My wife and partner, Cindy, actually conducted the interview and you can listen to it here: Laura Ries Interview (12 min MP3)

The 2006 Agri-Marketing Conference & Trade Show is next week! If you haven’t registered yet, do so now at https://nama.org/amc/register.html.

The NAMA staff will be out of the office from noon on Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 22. If you need to register for the conference after Monday at noon, please register on-site. The NAMA Registration Desk will open at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18. Remember, half-day and one-day rates are also available for your convenience. We hope you’ll join us next week in Kansas City!